Ukraine’s U.N. envoy: ‘We are strong enough to defend ourselves’

Men who call themselves members of Ukraine's disbanded elite Berkut riot police force stand at their checkpoint under a Russian flag on a highway that connects the Crimean peninsula to mainland Ukraine on Feb. 28, 2014 [AFP]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev said on Friday “we are strong enough to defend ourselves” while accusing Russia of illegally sending unauthorized military assets across the border of the former Soviet republic.

Sergeyev was speaking to reporters after briefing the U.N. Security Council in a closed-door session on the escalating crisis in Ukraine and the seizure of two airports in the autonomous region of Crimea.